Method and device for operating a mobile operating table

ABSTRACT

A device for controlling an operating table is disclosed. The device has a controller that controls a traction drive device that moves the operating table. The device also has at least one control element disposed on the controller. The traction drive device moves the operating table from a stopped state to a first speed based on a first actuation of the at least one control element. The traction drive device increases the operating table speed from the first speed to a second speed based on the first actuation of the at least one control element being interrupted for a first time period that is shorter than a first interruption time period and based on a double actuation of the at least one control element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage filing pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371of PCT/EP2014/057614, filed on Apr. 15, 2014, and claiming benefit ofpriority to German Patent Application No. 10 2013 103757.7 filed on Apr.15, 2013, all the contents of which are incorporated by referenceherein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a mobileoperating table having a patient support surface, an operating tablecolumn and an operating table column base. The operating table furtherhas rollers and a traction drive unit for moving the operating table.The traction drive unit is activated by the actuation of a controlelement assigned to the traction drive unit.

BACKGROUND

Three different types of operating tables are typically used inhospitals, namely stationary operating tables, movable operating tablesand mobile operating tables. Stationary operating tables have anoperating table column permanently fixed to the floor of the operatingroom. Normally, stationary operating tables do not comprise an operatingtable column base. Movable operating tables have an operating tablecolumn base which is connected to the operating table column, has norollers and no transport devices and stands on the floor of theoperating room at least during a surgical operation. The movableoperating tables are liftable and movable by means of transportcarriages. Such a system which comprises a movable operating table and atransport carriage is also referred to as a mobile operating tablesystem.

The operating table column bases of mobile operating tables have rollersfor moving the operating table, Mobile operating tables are thus movablewithout further auxiliary means. In the case of mobile operating tables,the rollers are lockable so that the operating table is not movableduring a surgical operation, and/or the column base can be lowered withrespect to the rollers so that the operating table stands safely on thefloor during a surgical operation.

Further, in the case of mobile operating tables, electric tractiondrives including soft start and safety brake function are known in orderto move the mobile operating table by the electric traction drive. Thistraction drive unit is actuated via at least one control element, inparticular via a non-wireless or a wireless remote control. In the caseof traction drive units with at least two speed levels, a changing ofthe speed level is then possible. This is particularly useful when amobile operating table has been moved out of the operating room andshall be moved further, for example, along a corridor of an operatingwing over a longer distance. In the operating room itself, themaneuvering is problematic because of the usually quite narrow space anda significant number of obstacles so that a low drive speed of thetraction drive is appropriate. However along long corridors, as arecommon in the operating wing of hospitals, a higher speed is desirableto facilitate a fast work flow. In known switching operations, themovement or the operating table is stopped for a short period of time toallow for changing the speed level and a complex setting of the desiredhigher speed level via a menu of the control device or the remotecontrol is carried out. To reset the lower speed level afterwards, theprocedure for setting the speed level is performed repeatedly in themenu of the control device. As a result, a changing of the speed isrelatively complex in known mobile operating tables. An alternativepossibility for changing the speed could be that one separate controlelement is provided for each speed level on the control device, inparticular a remote control. However, this makes use of the controldevice undesirable. In particular, when the control device also servesto operate adjustable components of an operating table during a surgicaloperation, it is not useful (e.g., for reasons of clarity) to provide aplurality of control elements for functions that are not required duringthe surgical operation itself.

From document DE 19955116 A1, a control unit for controlling the drivesof an operating table support surface is known, the support surfacebeing removable from an operating table column and comprising componentsadjustable by an electric motor, the control unit comprising an energysupply, a control and a control device. The control device is integratedin a transport carriage for the transport of the operating table supportsurface.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Based on shortcomings in the prior art, a method and a device foroperating a mobile operating table is provided, by which a simplifiedactivation of a traction drive unit for moving the operating table atdifferent drive speeds is possible.

By a method for operating a mobile operating table, a first drive speedis activated by a single actuation of the control element and a seconddrive speed is activated by a double actuation of the control element.

A double actuation may be a double click. A double click may be a doubleactivation of the actuating element within a preset period of timebetween a first actuation of the control element and a second actuationof the control element, or an inverse double click, (for example, thesingle deactivation of the control element for a maximum presetinterruption time and/or the double deactivation of the control elementfor a respective maximum preset interruption time within a preset periodof time between the first deactivation of the control element and thesecond deactivation of the control element).

By a double actuation of the control element, an easy change of thedrive speed from the first drive speed to the second drive speed of thetraction drive unit that is activated with the first drive speed ispossible without the traction drive unit having to be deactivated in themeantime.

Further, the change of the drive speed is possible with only one controlelement. As a result, the present method and apparatus may allow asuitable intuitive actuation of the control element for activating thefirst drive speed and for activating the second drive speed of thetraction drive unit. The first drive speed is preferably slower than thesecond drive speed. As a result, the first drive speed can be used formoving the operating table slowly (e.g., for the exact positioningand/or for maneuvering the operating table), and the second drive speedcan be used for moving longer distances at higher speed.

The drive speed of the traction drive unit may be changed from the firstdrive speed to the second drive speed by a double actuation. As aresult, a suitable change of the drive speed is possible that minimallyaffects the work flow in the operating room and in the operating wing ofa hospital.

In the case in which a double actuation is accomplished by aninterruption of the actuation of the first control element, for doubleactuation the interruption may be shorter than a preset InterruptionPeriod. The Interruption Period may be preset to a value in a rangebetween 100 ms (milliseconds) and 800 ms, for example to a value in arange between 200 ms and 500 ms. Also for example, an InterruptionPeriod can be preset to a value of 300 ms. As a result, an easy andconvenient actuation of the control element for activating the seconddrive speed is possible.

A double actuation may be accepted when the interruption is longer than30% of the preset Interruption Period or the interruptions are eachlonger than 30% of the preset Interruption Period. In the case of apreset Interruption Period (for example, of about 300 ms), the minimumInterruption Period for the double actuation may be 90 ms. As a result,operating errors, in particular from bouncing a switching element of theactuation element, are effectively prevented.

Further, the traction drive unit may be deactivated when the firstcontrol element has not been actuated for a preset Interruption Period.As a result, the traction drive unit may not remain activated when theactuation element is no longer actuated, so that an undesirableoperation does not occur.

Further, the first drive speed of the traction drive unit may be againactivated by a double actuation of the first control element in case thesecond drive speed of the traction drive unit is activated. In this way,a simplified change from the second drive speed to the first drive speedis possible without the traction drive unit having to be stopped.

Alternatively thereto, a third drive speed can be activated by a doubleactuation of the first control element in case the second drive speed isactivated. The third drive speed may be faster than the second drivespeed so that a faster drive speed can be selected.

A second control element may be provided, which, when actuated, releasesthe traction drive unit for driving the operating table. In the case ofa single actuation of the first control element, the traction drive unitmay be activated with the first drive speed. In the case of a doubleactuation of the first control element, the traction drive unit may beactivated with the second drive speed. For example, the traction driveunit can only be activated when the second control element is actuated,with the traction drive unit being deactivated when the second controlelement is not actuated. As a result, the first control element may onlybe actuated by a single actuation for activating the first drive speedand by a double click for activating the second drive speed (e.g., anon-inverse double click or a “normal” double click can be used foractuation), which may make a relatively more intuitive operationpossible, as compared to the case of an inverse double click.

Further, in the case of further double actuations of the first controlelement, the traction drive unit may be activated with a respectivehigher drive speed until the maximum drive speed of the traction driveunit is reached. Alternatively, in the case of a repeated doubleactuation of the first control element, the traction drive unit (e.g.,in case the second drive speed is activated) can again be activated atthe first drive speed.

As a result, an easy change and selection of different speed levels iseasily possible.

A braking unit may be additionally activated upon, or after,deactivation of the traction drive unit. In this way, the movement ofthe operating table can be stopped to avoid unsuitable operation. In thecase of a non-activated traction drive unit, a movement of the mobileoperating table can effectively be stopped in a simplified manner usingthe braking unit.

A second aspect of the present concept relates to a device for operatinga mobile operating table having a patient support surface, an operatingtable column and an operating table column base, wherein the operatingtable column base has rollers and a traction drive unit for moving theoperating table. Further, the device may have a first control element,by the actuation of which a control unit of the device activates thetraction drive unit. The control unit may activate the traction driveunit with a first drive speed by a single actuation of the controlelement. Further, the control unit may activate the traction drive unitwith a second drive speed by a double actuation of the control element.In this way, an easy activation and/or change of the drive speed of thetraction drive unit of the operating table is possible.

The disclosed method may be executed by the control unit controlling thecontrol elements and the traction drive unit.

The first and/or second control element can be provided by a remotecontrol (e.g., a non-wireless or a wireless remote control of theoperating table) or by control elements directly arranged on theoperating table.

The speed may change from a standstill to the first drive speed, fromthe first drive speed to the second drive speed, from the second drivespeed to a higher third drive speed, from the third drive speed to thesecond drive speed, from the second drive speed to the first drivespeed, and/or from the first drive speed to a standstill (which may, forexample, take place via acceleration ramps, e.g., with a uniformpositive or negative acceleration). As a result, jerky accelerations maybe avoided and a “soft start” can be accomplished.

Further features and advantages of the present apparatus and method mayresult from the following description, which explains the presentapparatus and method in more detail on the basis of embodiments inconnection with the enclosed Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a mobile operating table with several components which maybe adjustable by an electric motor with the aid of a wireless remotecontrol as well as a traction drive unit for moving the operating tablewhich can be activated via the wireless remote control with two speedlevels, the operating table being illustrated in a first loweredposition.

FIG. 2 shows the operating table according to FIG. 1 in a second liftedposition for moving the operating table.

FIG. 3 shows a status diagram of a polling cycle of the actuatingelement for activating the traction drive unit of the operating tablewith the first drive speed, and for changing the speed level of thetraction drive unit from the first drive speed to the second drivespeed.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary remote control for operating an operatingtable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a system 10 that may include a remote control 12 havingseveral control elements 14 to 28 (e.g., 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and28), through which adjustable components 32 to 46 (e.g., 32, 34, 36, 38,40, 42, 44, and 46) of a mobile operating table 30 can be adjusted(e.g., can be changed in position and/or with respect to othercomponents 32 to 46). The individual components 32 to 46 or groups ofthese components 32 to 46 may be assigned to the control elements 14 to24 of the remote control 12 so that when a control element 14 to 24 isactuated a corresponding adjusting action of the component 32 to 46 or acomponent group assigned to this control element 14 to 24 is performed.The mobile operating table 30 may have an operating table column base, apatient support surface 31 which may comprise the components 32 to 36and 42 to 46, and an operating table column 40 arranged between theoperating table column base and the patient support surface 31. Insidethe operating table column 40, a traction drive unit 48 may be arrangedwhich comprises a control unit for controlling the traction drive of themobile operating table 30, an electric motor for the traction drive ofthe mobile operating table 30, and an accumulator for the energy supplyof the control unit and of the electric motor. In the lowered state ofthe mobile operating table 30, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the rollers 50to 56 (e.g., 50, 52, 54, and 56) provided for moving the operating table30 are arranged inside the operating table base and do not projectdownwardly beyond support elements on which the operating table columnbase is supported on a floor in the lowered state.

In FIG. 2, the system 10 according to FIG. 1 is illustrated, wherein therollers 50 to 56 of the mobile operating table 30 have been extracteddownwardly so that the mobile operating table 30 can be moved with theaid of these rollers 50 to 56. The rollers 50 to 56 can be brought fromtheir retracted position shown in FIG. 1 to their extracted positionshown in FIG. 2 by an electric motor and/or an electrically driven ormanually actuated hydraulic unit. For extracting the rollers 50 to 56,the control element 26 may be activated once. When the control element26 is actuated again (e.g., once), the operating table 30 is againlowered from the lifted position shown in FIG. 2 into the loweredposition shown in FIG. 1. When the control element 28 is activated once,the electric motor of the traction drive unit 48 is activated with afirst drive speed so that the mobile operating table 30 is driven atthis first drive speed in the direction of the arrow P1. The drive cantake place via one or more rollers 50 to 56. It is also contemplatedthat a drive wheel or a drive drum may drive operating table 30,

The traction drive unit 48 or the electric motor remains activated withthe first drive speed as long as the control element 28 is actuated. Ifthe actuation of the control element 28 is interrupted for longer than apreset Interruption Period, then the traction drive unit 48 isdeactivated (e.g., the drive of the operating table 30 is stopped by theelectric motor and a brake being activated). If, on the other hand, theactuation of the actuating element 28 is interrupted for a time periodshorter than the Interruption Period and subsequently once againinterrupted for the time period shorter than the Interruption Period(e.g., when there is a double actuation of the control element 28), asecond drive speed of the traction drive unit 48 may be activated. Theelectric motor may be driven such that it has a correspondingly higheroutput speed than in the case of the activation of the first drivespeed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In FIG. 3, a state diagram showing states for activating anddeactivating the control element 28 is illustrated. After the system hasbeen initialized in step S10, the control element 28 is in the state S12(e.g., “released”) so that the traction drive unit is deactivated. If itis then detected that the control element 28 has been pressed, a changeof state to the state S14 (e.g., “pressed”) takes place, with a resultof the traction drive unit 48 being activated at the first drive speed.If it is determined afterwards that the control element 28 is no longeractivated (e.g., it has been released), a change of state from the state514 to the state S16 (e.g., “released for the 1st time”) takes place.

If it is determined that the control element 28 is released (deactivatedor not actuated) for more than 300 ms, a change of state from the stateS16 into the state S12 (e.g., “released”) may take place, in which thetraction drive unit 48 is deactivated.

If, however, the control element 28 is once again activated within these300 ms, then a change of state from the state S16 to the state S18(e.g., “1st click”) takes place. If the control element 28 is not againreleased (deactivated or not actuated) within 300 ms, then after 300 msa change of state from the state S18 to the state S14 (e.g., “pressed”)takes place.

If however, within these 300 ms, a repeated release of the controlelement 28 takes place, then a change of state from the state S18 to thestate S20 (e.g., “released for the 2nd time”) takes place. If thecontrol element 28 is not again activated within 300 ms, a change ofstate from the state S20 to the state S12 (e.g., “released”) takesplace, in which the traction drive unit 48 is deactivated. If, however,starting out from the state S20 another actuation of the control element28 takes place within 300 ms, then a change of state from the state S20to the state S22 (e.g., “2nd click”) takes place, with the result of thesecond drive speed of the traction drive unit 48 being activated. Ifsubsequently the control element 28 is not actuated, a change of statefrom the state S22 to the state S12 (e.g., “released”) takes place sothat the traction drive unit 48 is deactivated.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a remote control.FIG. 4 illustrates a remote control 62, which can be used alternativelyto the remote control 12. The remote control 62 may have a display 64for the display of information. Further, the remote control 62 may havea plurality of control elements 66 to 112 (e.g., 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 78,80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, and112) via which different operating inputs for changing the position ofthe components 32 to 46 of the mobile operating table 30 can be inputconveniently. In addition, the remote control 62 may have a controlelement 26 for extracting the transport rollers 50 to 56 as well as acontrol element 28 for activating the traction drive unit 48 with thefirst drive speed by a single actuation and with the second drive speedby a double actuation.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed method andapparatus. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in theart from consideration of the specification and practice of thedisclosed method and apparatus. It is intended that the specificationand examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope beingindicated by the following claims.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A device for controlling an operating table,comprising: a controller that controls a traction drive device thatmoves the operating table; and at least one control element disposed onthe controller; wherein the traction drive device moves the operatingtable from a stopped state to a first speed based on a first actuationof the at least one control element; and wherein the traction drivedevice increases the operating table speed from the first speed to asecond speed based on the first actuation of the at least one controlelement being interrupted for a first time period that is shorter than afirst interruption time period; and a double actuation of the at leastone control element.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the doubleactuation of the at least one control element includes a secondactuation of the at least one control element following the first timeperiod, the second actuation being within the first interruption timeperiod.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the double actuation of theat least one control element includes the second actuation of the atleast one control element being interrupted for a second time periodthat is shorter than a second interruption time period.
 15. The deviceof claim 14, wherein the double actuation of the at least one controlelement includes a third actuation of the at least one control elementfollowing the second time period, the third actuation being within thesecond interruption time period.
 16. The device of claim 12, wherein thetraction drive device moves the operating table at the first speed aslong as the first actuation is not interrupted.
 17. The device of claim15, wherein the traction drive device moves the operating table at thesecond speed as long as the third actuation is not interrupted.
 18. Thedevice of claim 12, wherein the first interruption time period isbetween about 100 ms and about 800 ms.
 19. The device of claim 12,wherein the traction drive device is deactivated and stops moving theoperating table when the first actuation of the at least one controlelement is interrupted for a time period that is equal to or greaterthan the first interruption time period.
 20. The device of claim 13,wherein the traction drive device moves the operating table at the firstspeed as long as the second actuation is not interrupted.
 21. The deviceof claim 14, wherein the traction drive device stops moving theoperating table when the second actuation of the at least one controlelement is interrupted for a time period that is equal to or greaterthan the second interruption time period.
 22. The device according toclaim 12, wherein the first time period is greater than 30% of the firstinterruption time period.
 23. The device according to claim 19, whereinan operating table brake operates to stop the operating table when thetraction drive device is deactivated.
 24. A method, comprising:providing an operating table; providing a traction drive device thatmoves the operating table; and providing a controller that controls thetraction drive device, the controller including at least one controlelement; wherein the traction drive device moves the operating tablefrom a stopped state to a first speed based on a first actuation of theat least one control element; wherein the first actuation of the atleast one control element is interrupted for a first time period that isshorter than a first interruption time period; wherein a secondactuation of the at least one control element occurs after the firsttime period, the second actuation being within the first interruptiontime period; and wherein the second actuation of the at least onecontrol element is interrupted for a second time period that is shorterthan a second interruption time period.
 25. The method of claim 24,further including a third actuation of the at least one control elementfollowing the second time period and occurring within the secondinterruption time period.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein thetraction drive device moves the operating table at a second speed aslong as the third actuation is not interrupted.
 27. The method of claim26, wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed.
 28. Themethod of claim 26, wherein a third speed is activated by a doubleactuation of the at least one control element when the second drivespeed is activated.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein a plurality ofdouble actuations of the first control element are performed, eachdouble actuation activating an operating table speed that is higher thanthe previous operating table speed, until a maximum operating tablespeed is reached.
 30. A device for controlling a mobile operating table,comprising: a controller that controls a traction drive device thatmoves the mobile operating table; and at least one control elementdisposed on the controller; wherein the traction drive device moves themobile operating table from a stopped state to a first speed based on afirst actuation of the at least one control element; wherein the firstactuation of the at least one control element is interrupted for a firsttime period that is shorter than a first interruption time period;wherein a second actuation of the at least one control element occursafter the first time period, the second actuation being within the firstinterruption time period; wherein the second actuation of the at leastone control element is interrupted for a second time period that isshorter than a second interruption time period; wherein a thirdactuation of the at least one control element occurs after the secondtime period, the third actuation being within the second interruptiontime period; and wherein the traction drive device moves the operatingtable at a second speed that is greater than the first speed as long asthe third actuation is not interrupted.
 31. The device according toclaim 30, further comprising a second control element, wherein: thetraction drive device is only operable when the second control elementis actuated; and the traction drive device is deactivated when thesecond control element is not actuated.